All Forum Posts by: Samuel Diouf

Hey Lara, as long as you have the right guidance and know what you're getting into the POS is something you can navigate through fairly easy. 

Also, not every municipality in Cleveland has a POS. I'd be glad to share a sheet I've created of all municipalities that require a POS inspection. 

Hey Sachin, I've come across quite a few. You just have to look consistently look at the market and move quick when they come up. 

Columbus is a market where you'll see a little cash-flow but the main reason investors buy in Columbus is for the appreciation that has been around 5% a year. If you factor in the appreciation, your cash-on-cash return will be a lot greater. 

If you don't want to bet on appreciation, Cleveland is another great market to look into where you'll see a much higher COC return. It still might not be 12.5% but it will definitely be higher than Columbus from a strictly cash-flow perspective.

If you wait for rates to drop, you'll be buying at a higher price point as everyone who's been waiting will start to jump back in the market. If you can, it would be better to buy now, then refi when rates drop. 

Hey Krystan, this is a choice that every new investor has to decide on, but the right option will be different for everyone.

I would first determine what your primary goals with real estate are, because every market has different benefits, some more than others. Decide on whether you want appreciation, cashflow, or a mix of both. If you want cashflow.. look for markets with low entry prices and higher rent averages. If you want appreciation, identify markets with expanding industries and positive growth signals.

Hey Alicia, have you looked into any markets in Ohio, such as Columbus or Cleveland? A lot of investors based in expensive markets are choosing to purchase their investments OOS in the Midwest because of the affordability and numbers making more sense.

Prices in Columbus are still low enough to find 1% rule deals and there's a ton of appreciation happening in this market as well. I actually moved from Florida to Columbus for the real estate. I saw how fast the city was growing and decided to make the jump.

Hey Chike, starting out, I would look for smaller deals. Properties in the 1-4 unit range. 

The larger MFH BRRRRs are going to have a lot more moving parts, expensive bleed costs, and less inventory of good deals that you'll come across as a newer investor. 

Also, when doing BRRRs, don't expect to pull 100% of your money out every time. The majority of deals are going to require you to leave some of your own money in the deal but it will be far less than 20%.

I can't say much about Indianapolis, but I've been finding a ton of great BRRR opportunities in Cleveland and Columbus!

Welcome to Bigger Pockets Jared! 

Welcome to Bigger Pockets David!

If you’re looking to invest locally, it helps to network with as many people in the industry as you can. A great way to start is by attending RE events and joining a local investors association. You can usually find some events by doing a simple google search.

Hey Arlelly, I would look into markets in the Midwest. 

Cities like Cleveland have some of the lowest home prices in the country, so you can still find a ton of affordable options.

Welcome to Bigger Pockets Darriell!

Bigger Pockets is a great place to learn and connect with fellow investors.

If you’re looking to invest long distance, I definitely recommend building your core-4 team. This team consists of an Investor Focused Agent, Lender, Contractor, and PM.

Read this article on the "core 4". It explains the team that you should develop to have a strong foundation under you while investing remotely.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/core-four-real-estate-team